XN000022-1993-10-14 — Page 6

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1993

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FORMATION OF HAB PROVIDES FOCAL POINT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

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A NEW HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH WILL COME INTO BEING ON OCTOBER (FRIDAY) THROUGH THE REDEPLOYMENT OF EXISTING POSTS FROM THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CITY AND NEW TERRITORIES ADMINISTRATION (CNTA).

A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (THURSDAY) THAT AS ANNOUNCED BY THE GOVERNOR IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS, THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS WILL TAKE ON ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A SYSTEMATIC, CO-ORDINATED APPROACH TO DEAL WITH INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT POLICY ISSUES CONCERNING THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL.

"TO PUT THIS ARRANGEMENT IN PLACE, THE NEW BRANCH WILL BE TAKING OVER A NUMBER OF POLICY SUBJECTS FROM OTHER SECRETARIAT BRANCHES AS WELL AS NEW ISSUES.

SOCIAL AND

"THESE INCLUDE HUMAN RIGHTS, INFORMATION POLICIES, FAMILY LAWS, ADVISORY BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND RELATIONS WITH THE MUNICIPAL COUNCILS," THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

WILL

SUCH

IN ADDITION TO THESE SUBJECT AREAS, THE HOME AFFAIRS BRANCH CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONVENTIONAL POLICY ISSUES AS THE DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION SCHEME, COMMUNITY BUILDING, GAMBLING, GUESTHOUSE AND HOTEL LICENSING, TRADITIONAL AND RURAL MATTERS, DATA PROTECTION, SUCCESSION AND INHERITANCE, AND YOUTH WOMEN MATTERS.

AND

THE SPOKESMAN NOTED THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BRANCH WAS THE FIRST PART OF A PROCESS TO STREAMLINE THE STRUCTURE OF THE EXISTING CNTA SO AS TO IMPROVE ITS OPERATION AND EFFICIENCY TO CATER FOR PRESENT DAY NEEDS.

OF

IT IS INTENDED THAT THE NEXT STAGE WOULD INVOLVE THE SETTING UP AN EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT BY AMALGAMATING THE TWO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS SUBJECT TO OBTAINING THE NECESSARY APPROVALS.

THE KEY AIMS ARE ΤΟ STRENGTHEN THE MANAGEMENT OF DISTRICT AFFAIRS AND TO ENHANCE THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIVENESS TO THE VIEWS AND NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AT DISTRICT LEVEL.

DETAILED PROPOSALS ON THE RE-ORGANISATION OF CNTA ARE BEING FINALISED. THE NECESSARY APPROVALS FOR THESE PROPOSALS WILL BE SOUGHT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

FOR THE TIME BEING, THE TWO REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND THE DISTRICT OFFICES WILL CONTINUE ΤΟ OPERATE UNDER THE OVERALL SUPERVISION OF THE SECRETARY FOR HOME AFFAIRS.

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